Kindergarten News
Published by Mrs. Kolar (K) October 26th, 2008 in Announcements.
Everyone is very excited! This is the big week we have been waiting for all October. It is Donuts for Dads this Friday! It will be held in the PAR from 8:00-9:00 AM. You will need to park in the NORTH PARKING LOT and enter through door #2. Someone will direct you further once you enter. You will need to sign in on sheets available near the gym. Remember to bring the pumpkin and decorating items with YOU. Remember all your decorating items including glue, scissors, tape, markers, etc. We are not permitted to carve the pumpkins for obvious safety reasons, space, clean-up and time. Do not give the pumpkins or supplies to your child to bring. The children will not be able to carry them down to the PAR that morning. Remember, if the child’s father is not attending, an uncle, grandfather, or even Mom is welcome to take his place. It will be jeans and sweatshirt day. Most children on that day wear something with an appropriate Halloween theme, such as orange, a pumpkin theme, a scarecrow, an autumn theme, etc. If your child does not have a sweatshirt with a Halloween theme, then any sweatshirt appropriate for a Catholic kindergarten child will be fine. If your child does not have jeans and a sweatshirt, then dress pants and a button down shirt are the alternative. Arrive early and find your child’s placemat. We will begin promptly at 8:00. You don’t want to miss our fine performance!
In math, we are working on the correct formation of the digits 0 through 9. We are also reviewing counting sets that match the number the numeral represents. We have been learning about the concept of one to one correspondence. This is important to understand for later problem solving and later understanding of ratios. We continue to study our counting and identifying numerals. We have begun an introduction to addition using a song, fingers for our first addition manipulatives, and we have used a numberline for addition. The song “Frogs on a Log” helped us use our fingers and the song “Little Bunny Rabbit” helped us learn to use the numberline. Each child is assessed one on one counting to 25 and identifying numerals to 25 for the first quarter report card.
In computers last week, we worked on Language Arts topics such as letters, letter sounds, encoding of words, sign language, finger spelling, etc. These activities not only help us to practice different computer skills, they reinforce or extend concepts being taught during the week in other subjects. This week we will be using activities that help with primarily math skills for addition and an option to continue with sign language and finger spelling.
On Thursday, October 30, our first graders perform in the All Saints Day Celebration. The Kindergarten will attend the celebration. It will be at 10:30. We invite the half day children to remain longer that day. It should conclude by about 11:30, and you can pick your child up then. Let us know how you want your child to be dismissed.
In Religion, we have been preparing for Donuts for Dads and continuing our study of prayer with a special focus on the Pumpkin Prayer. Has your child told you some of the things the lines in the prayer teach us about? It was their assignment last week to go home, read this with you, and tell you some things they were reminded by the prayer.
This week we will cover the words but, on, and has. Your child is expected to know all twenty words this week for the culmination of the first quarter. Be sure you are practicing these words with your child nightly. We will complete the study of our alphabet letters this week. The children will be tested this week on all twenty words, the twenty-six letters (both upper and lower case), and the letter sounds. We will also be testing each individual saying the Sign of the Cross (with both the correct movement of the right hand and the correct words), and the Angel of God prayer. The correct words are not Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The correct words are:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The children have learned that prayer is talking to God. You do not have to always use prescribed words, only the words you have written in your heart. Any words are fine. Just say those words that come straight from your heart. You can pray silently all day long telling God all your immediate thoughts. He will not only listen, he will be pleased. When you ask God’s assistance with anything, begin your prayer with the words, “In the name of Jesus Christ”. His name is powerful and his love is infinite.
Have a wonderful week and God bless all of you!
